A dominant display from Cleckheaton against an already relegated Beverley side produced some good rugby on a wet and windy day at Moorend. A first hat-trick from Ross Hayden brightened the spirits of the assembled crowd and even brought on some singing from some of those huddled under the cover of the stand. Hayden's first came from a kick though by Michael Piper which the speedy fullback got to before the Beverley defender. Hayden also added the extras. Hayden's second came after Rob Afoa-Peterson created space for him to dive in at the corner for a 12-0 lead in as many minutes. James Wilson then finished off another powerful play down Cleckheaton's right and a bonus point and Hayden's hat-trick were in the bag on 35 minutes when Mike Piper dabbed a short kick through which the fullback reacted to first for a well taken try. Hayden converted both of those scores for a personal points haul of 21 with the first period not quite yet over. Beverley were outclassed but played with passion, a fumble from the re-start which followed Cleck's 4th try created an opportunity for Beverley to mount their first really threatening attack. Danny Vento was adjudged to have deliberately attempted to slow the play and shown a yellow card and Beverley capitalised, securing some pride, when winger Jake Marin went in for an unconverted try. At the break Cleckheaton led 26-5.

Although still down to 14 men Cleckheaton applied pressure from the outset as the second half got underway. Within minutes Mike Piper rushed onto s short pass from Afoa-Peterson and bashed his way over from short range to score at the side of the sticks. Skipper Richard Piper added another converted try, directing a maul to the line before powering to the ground and Mike Piper extended Cleckheaton's score to 41-5 with a cheeky drop goal. Fresh legs of Tom Austin, Carl Mason and Alex Dawson had been added from the bench to keep the home side's momentum running high and a thumb injury for Vento saw him being forced to leave the field with second row Richard Brown, looking surprisingly comfortable switching into the inside centre position. Richard Piper added Cleck's 7th try and Ross Hayden had the last say on the scoreboard, adding the conversion for a result of 48-5.

Some good work from Cleckheaton against opposition that have struggled this season but Beverley will regroup and look forward to the new challenges and opportunities which present themselves next year. Cleckheaton will try to maintain their position of 5th, which is a great achievement for their first year in National 3 North but they will have to fight hard for it as Rossendale could take that place should they win their game in hand against Morley on Easter Saturday. A result which would incidentally see Morley relegated, so an extra reason for hoping Rossendale get no points out of the game. A week on Saturday Cleckheaton hit the road for their last away game of the season, which is up on Tyneside at the home of Westoe, another team that already face relegation at the end of the year.